Lecture Notes: Schedules of Reinforcement

Introduction

• Speaker: Mauricio
• Topic: Schedules of Reinforcement
  • Definition: Contingency of reinforcement; how often you reinforce a behavior.
  • Two main types: Continuous Reinforcement and Intermittent Reinforcement

Types of Reinforcement

Continuous Reinforcement

• Reinforce every correct response.
• Abbreviated as: CR or FR1 (Fixed Ratio 1)
• Usage:
  • When learning a new task
  • To strengthen a behavior

Extinction

• Opposite of continuous reinforcement.
• Definition: Never reinforce a response.

Intermittent Reinforcement

• Reinforce responses occasionally, not every time.
• Usage:
  • To maintain established behaviors
  • Prevalent in the real world

Types of Intermittent Reinforcement

Ratio vs. Interval

• Ratio: Number of responses
• Interval: Time interval

Fixed vs. Variable

• Fixed: Does not change (consistency)
• Variable: Changes, varies each time

Specific Schedules of Reinforcement

Fixed Ratio (FR)

• Definition: A set number of responses required for reinforcement.
• Example: FR3 means three responses are needed.
• Characteristics:
  • High rate of responding
  • Post-reinforcement pause
  • Example: Token economy (e.g., FR10 for ten tokens)

Variable Ratio (VR)

• Similar to Fixed Ratio, but the number of responses required varies around an average.
• Example: VR3 averages three responses for reinforcement.
• Characteristics:
  • Least prone to extinction
  • Strong for maintaining behaviors
  • Example: Slot machines

Fixed Interval (FI)

• Definition: Reinforcement available after a fixed time period post-reinforcement.
• Example: FI3 means three minutes must pass before reinforcement is available.
• Characteristics:
  • Fixed interval scalloping (wave pattern of responses)

Variable Interval (VI)

• Time interval varies before reinforcement is available.
• Example: VI4 averages four minutes.
• Usage:
  • Steady rate of responding
  • Example: Checking emails

Application to Real World

• Start with continuous reinforcement when teaching.
• Ratio Thinning: Transition to less frequent reinforcement.
• Caution: Avoid ratio strain (aggression, non-responding) by not thinning too much.

Quiz: Identifying Schedules

1. Pop Quizzes: Variable Interval
2. Door-to-Door Sales: Variable Ratio
3. Weekly Exams: Fixed Interval
4. Mouse Lever Press: Fixed Ratio (FR10)

Conclusion

• Understanding schedules of reinforcement helps in behavior analysis.
• Variable Ratio is most resistant to extinction.
• Consider graph patterns during tests.

Note: For further understanding, consider visualizing the graphs and patterns associated with each type of reinforcement schedule.